Outdoor Play

Age ranges and equipment types available for outdoor play areas

Say goodbye to screen battles. Designed for kids aged two to ten years, our outdoor play range, which includes swing sets and slides, cubby houses and climbing frames brings serious fun back to the backyard. With pieces designed for every stage, the range naturally caters to kids as they grow into bigger, more active play.

The equipment that lasts longest in a family’s backyard tends to be the kind that can be used differently at five and at ten years, rather than something a child ages out of within a year. Before buying anything, it’s worth measuring the recommended safety zone around each piece, as most swing sets need at least 1.8m of clear space on each side beyond the maximum swing arc. If screen time’s winning, start here.

Add a white outdoor bench nearby so you’ve got somewhere to sit while you supervise, and consider outdoor umbrellas and gazebos for shade over that spot on hot days.

Safe placement and supervision sightlines for outdoor play equipment

Place your kids’ outdoor play equipment on level ground with good drainage, and keep it well away from hard edges like fences, garden beds with rock borders, and concrete paths. A fall onto grass or rubber matting is significantly safer than the same fall onto a solid surface. It’s a detail that’s easy to overlook when you’re focused on where the equipment will actually fit, but the ground surrounding it matters just as much as the equipment itself.

If your yard allows it, look for a position with a clear line of sight from the kitchen or living room window to let you supervise from inside while still getting on with things around the house. If your yard doesn’t have that sightline naturally, it’s worth thinking about whether a different spot, even a slightly less convenient one, would make supervision easier.

Round out the setup with our outdoor furniture for a spot to relax while you watch on, and add outdoor coffee and side tables to keep drinks or snacks within reach.

Seasonal maintenance for timber and metal outdoor play equipment

Timber play equipment needs a child-safe exterior oil or sealant applied at least once a year to prevent weathering, cracking and splinter formation. Check all bolts and fixings for tightness every three to six months because timber naturally moves with changes in humidity. Skipping that annual maintenance is usually what turns a good quality timber set into a hazard within a couple of summers, well before the frame itself would otherwise need replacing.

Metal and plastic components should be inspected regularly for rust, UV degradation and rough or broken edges. It’s worth checking particularly after summer, when prolonged heat can make plastics brittle in a way that isn’t always obvious until the piece is under load. A quick visual check before each play season, rather than only when something looks obviously wrong, catches most problems while they’re still a five-minute fix.

To get more seating for the adults on duty, browse our outdoor chairs for options that hold up through the same seasonal weather.

Frequently asked questions

What age range is outdoor play equipment suitable for?

Most swing sets and slides in our range suit children aged 3 to 12 years. Climbing frames and cubby houses are generally rated from 3 years upward.

What is the best surface to put under outdoor play equipment?

Australian Standards for home play equipment (AS 4685) recommend impact-absorbing surfaces such as grass, rubber mulch, wood chip or sand. Rubber mulch is the lowest maintenance option because it doesn’t compact or wash away.

How do I anchor outdoor play equipment safely?

Most freestanding equipment should be anchored using the manufacturer’s stakes or anchor bolts, driven at least 30cm into the soil. For timber structures in sandy soil, concrete-set footings give a more stable base.

Can outdoor play equipment be left out in the rain?

Powder-coated steel and UV-stabilised plastic handle rain and moisture well. Timber structures need annual sealing to prevent water ingress and rot.

How much space do I need in my backyard for a swing set?

Allow a safety clearance of at least 1.8 metres on each side of the swing arc and 1.8 metres behind the frame. For a standard two-swing frame, the total recommended space front to back is approximately 5m to 6m.